The Ministry of Food and Agriculture says it is intensifying efforts to stabilise food prices while protecting farmers from losses by expanding buffer stock purchases and improving market access for agricultural produce.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Thursday (2 July), Special Aide to the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Michael Boakye, said government had introduced measures to ensure farmers receive fair prices for their produce despite increased harvests.
He said while prices of staples such as maize, rice and soya had declined compared with previous years, government was aware that many farmers were struggling to sell their produce at profitable prices.
“Every farmer goes into farming expecting a market. If they invest all their energy and resources and cannot get value for their produce, then agriculture cannot remain the backbone of the economy,” he said.
Boakye disclosed that government had strengthened the National Food Buffer Stock Company to purchase surplus produce directly from farmers.
“The Ministry of Finance has released funds to the buffer stock system to buy surplus maize, rice and soybeans from farmers at prices that will sustain their investments.”
He said the intervention is expected to provide a ready market, improve farmers’ incomes and strengthen Ghana’s food security.
According to him, implementation of the programme is at an advanced stage and farmers should begin benefiting within weeks.
He also attributed high food prices in urban centres partly to transportation costs, noting that much of Ghana’s food is produced in regions far from major consumption hubs such as Accra and Kumasi.
“When produce has to travel long distances without efficient road infrastructure, transport costs are added to the final price consumers pay.”
Boakye said government is investing in road networks linking farming communities to markets under its infrastructure programme to reduce transportation costs and improve food distribution.
He maintained that recent reductions in food prices demonstrate that government interventions are beginning to yield results.
“There is leadership in place to ensure Ghanaians have access to food while farmers also receive value for their hard work.”
